Railway-switch mechanism



March 10, 1931.

w. L. WHITTINGTON 1,795,585

RAILWAY SWITCH MECHANISM Filed Sept. 27, 1929 FIG. I

EM 4 5 3 )fi INVENTOR ATTORN EY5 7 Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT: v ()FFICE WILLIAM L. WHITTINGTON, OF JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO NATHAN C. WALDRAM, OF J'EFFERSON, MISSOURI RAILWAY-SWITCH- MECHANISM Application filed September 27, 1929. Serial No. 395,688.

T his invention relates to improvements in railway switch mechanism, and more particularly to improved mounting means for switch strands and other apparatus having operative connection with railway switch or signal devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for adjustably mounting railway switch and signal actuation mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide means in connection with the mountings of switch and signal stands and the like, whereby to enable a ready adjustment of the operative connection between such mechanism and the movable switch members.

A still further object is to provide an improved adjusting and mounting mechanism for use in connection withswitch and signal apparatus, which permits practically a micromet-ric adjusting between the actuating and actuated portions of a switch assembly, and which may be constructed of standard stock materials, and which may be adjusted originally, and thereafter as may be necessary, without involving any particular degree of skill.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mounting for switch and signal stands, which may be permanently secured to suitable headblocks or switch ties and which embodies means whereby the device may be adjusted distantly and an ularly with respect totheheadblocrs andmova lo switch members without disturbing its permanent mounting.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description of parts, and from the accompanying drawings, in which: 7

Fig. 1 is a top or plan view of a switch stand, together with an adjustable mounting therefor, constructed in accordance with the present invention,.and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device appearinginFig. 1.

As will be readily understood by those fainilia-r with the art to which the present invention pertains, the prevailingpractice ininstalling and adjusting a switch; stand consists, for example", inxemployinga pair. ofheadblocks or .ties, extended parallel to each, other .to

points conveniently distant from the switch point to be thrown. The prevailing practice consists in mounting a switch standby a suitable mounting plate, spikcdby the usual track spikes, to one or more of the headblocks or ties, the stand being disposed in bridging relationbetween a pair of such ties. Obviously, it is extremely difficult, at the first setting, so to locate the stand angularly andv distantly with respect to the headblocks and switch points that, with the switch lever at one limit of its movement, the movable switch points fall exactly at their proper limit of movement. Due to vibration, changes in temperature, disturbance in ballasting, wear in the switch actuating assembly, and other numerous'causes, the adjustment of a switch stand is frequently disturbed, relative to the switch points. It has heretofore been necessary, in such a case, to draw the spikes securing the .stand to the headblocks, to plugthe spike holes,

and to reset the stand at a different position of the headblocks. Obviously, considerable skill is required successively to locate a switch stand and like devices under such conditions, since the proper setting of the mechanism in volves very often, not only a proper distance relation between the mounting plates, but also a proper angularsetting for adjustment. It is to the fulfillment of these requirements, as well as the objects enumerated above, that the present invention is directed;

The present disclosure is directed particularly and in detail to a single illustrative embodiment, but it will be readily understood that the parts and certain features of their arrangement may be varied subst:

1:: without departing from the intended scope? of theinvention.

Referring now by numerals to the drum ings, the headblocks or: ties, of which pair are'prcferably employed, are indicated at 3.

These blocks are, by preference, extended in parallel relation laterally from the rails op posite: the switch points'tobei actuated. Se- 7.

cured toeach of the headbl'ocks, by preference near the track end. of the assembly, are a pair of. anchor. plates 4 disposed by preference' opposite each other and eachsecured to one; Off-hi8 headblocks as by a plurality of track spikes 5. Plates 4 are each characterized by an upstanding flange 6.

Movably mounted and preferably originally spaced from the plates 4-, are a pair of angle plates 7, substantially longer, by preference, than the plates 4, and each provided, as will best appear in Fig. 1, with slotted openings 8, at least a pair of which are provided in each of the plates 7 for adjustment purposes, as will hereinafter appear. The plates 7 are further provided with upstanding flanges 0, presented oppositely to the flanges (S. lrdjustable securement of the plates 7 is etlected, in the present example, by me; as of bolts of a length sutlicient to extend upwardly through and beyond the headblocks and through the slotted openings 8, these bolts being indicated at 10 and provided on their exposed ends with nuts 11 and suitable washers overlying slots 8. Ohviously, the slots 8 may be disposed centrally or otherwise in the plates 7; it is preferred, however, to constructthe plates substantially uniformly, as shown, whereby to avoid the necessity of providing rightand left-handed mounting members.

hlounted on each of the plates 7 is a switch lock assembly 12, which may be of usual construction, and each of which may be secured to its mounting plate as by bolts 13, the heads of which are, by preference, countersunk in the under surface of plates 7, whereby the nuts thereon may be actuated from the exposed side of the mounting plates. The lock assemblies 12 serve, as is clearly understood in the art, as retaining or locking means for a switch lever 14, The switch stand 15 may be of any desired or usual construction and includes a vertical, rotatable men'iber or mast 16. connected as by a crank or arm 17 to a switch arm 18, to effect a reciprocating movement of the latter clement, upon a partial rotation, or throw of the lever 14, all as well understood.

lhc mounting of the switch stand is effecied by means of a foot portion 19, there being one of these at each side of the stand, and secured as by a plurality of bolts 20 to the jilates 7. the bolts 20 being, by preference, countersunk after the manner of the bolt-s 13. As will best appear in Fig. 2. the openings for the bolts 20 are made substantially larger than the bolts. in order to permit: of relative angular adjustment between each of the portions 19 audits associated plate 7. Secured to each of the feet atopposite sides of the stand, is a bolt 21, engaging one of the feet 19.

Means for moving the switch stand and certain of its mounting members, distantly. along the headblocks, is found in the vertical or upstanding flanges (l and 9, each of which is apertured, by preference, centrally, as at 22 and 23. Extending between and beyond the paired apertures, is a jack screw 24,

preferably a bolt of substantial size, threaded over its entire length, this bolt being so related to the apertures 22 and 28 as to move freely therethrough, except as the jack screw is positioned by means of a plurality of nuts thereon, such as 25, 26, 27 and 28, the ar rangement preferably being the same between each pair of the plates l and 7. Ohvious variations of this arrangement may at once suggest themselves, for example, internally threading the openings and 2", and employing a head portion on the bolt 2t, for adjusting purposes. The advantages and manner of use of the described adjustment means, will be at once apparent to those skilled in the art, but may be here briefly reviewed for the sake of completeness of description.

To effect an adjustment or setting of the switch operating mechanism, the nuts 25, 26, 27 and 28 may be backed away from the flanges (i and 9. the nuts 11, as well as the nuts on bolts 20, are loosened, after which the stand becomes distantly and angularly movable relative to the headblocks and switch points. lVi-th the operating arm 18 connected to a switch point in one extreme position and with the operating lever 14: suitably positioned, the switch stand, being freely movable, will tend to assume sub stantially its correct operating position. An exact setting may then be effected, for example, by loosening a pair of the nuts on each headblock, such as 25 and 2G, and correspondingly taking up nuts 27 and 28, or vice versa, according to the direction of adjustment necessary to effect a proper distance placement of the stand.

In case any angular adjustment; is necessary it will be obvious that, the nuts on bolts 20, having previously been loosened, either of the plates 7 may be advanced or retracted relative to the other in a manner to move the stand about its middle point; or axis. For effecting micrometri angular adjustment, one pair of the flanges 6 and 5) may be brought closer together by the related jack screw 24:, while the opposite pair of flanges are spread farther apart by an opposite adjustment of the jack screw therein. In certain cases, due to ditl'crenccs in dimensions of the headbloclc-s, or irregularities in ballasting. it may be necessary to plumb. or ertically align the stand. "his may obviously be effected by the use of auxiliary plates or shims (not shown). located between the headblocks and plates 7. Upon completion of the angular and distance adjustments, the nuts on bolts 20 are taken up, as are the nuts 11, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Obviously, this adjustment may be effected as often as necessary, and by anyone, without particular skill.

A number of advantages attained by the use of the described mechanism will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By preference, four separate mounting plates are employed, as it is usually necessary in aujusting switch points to fit properly against both rails, that the base plates be moved to a certain extent in opposite directions. Such an adjustment is not possible with a one piece base-plate, nor can it be readily effected by an ordinary set screw, such as is used in other adjusting devices.

A further structural advantage may be noted, in that, with a connection properly effected between the pair of base plates by the use of the screw 24 when the adjustment is made, the strength of the device is practically equal to that of a solid base plate.

Further advantages may be noted in that labor cost is substantially decreased due to the simplicity and ease ofadjnstment, only a few minutes time being required to make any desired adjustment between the stand and switch points. The nuts employed throughout the assembly are preferably of such size that the only tool required in making an adjustment is an ordinary track wrench.

Further advantages may be noted in that it is never necessary, as with the prevailing practice, to draw the reset spikes, such a practice resulting in a weakened condition of the ties. This undesirable feature is completely eliminated by the present construction, which further insures a smooth-working assembly at all times.

Since the parts incident to the use of the present improvements consist entirely of stock materials, any additional cost incident to installing the present adjusting mechanism, becomes negligible in proportion to the advantages attained.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a switch actuating assembly, a support for the assembly, means for adjusting the position of the assembly on the support, said means including amounting member between the assembly and support, and screw-threaded means for moving the mounting member to adjusted positions along the support.

2. In combination with a switch actuating assembly and a support therefor, means for supporting the assembly in adjusted positions along the support, said means including a holding element extending from the support, a mounting member disposed between the assembly and support, and secured to said assembly, the mounting member having a passage for said holding element and arranged to permit adjusting movement of said element, across said passage.

3. In combination with a switch actuating assembly and a support therefor adjustable mounting means including a slotted mounting base, carried by said support and disposed between said assembly and support, holding means secured to said support and extending through the slots in said mounting member, and means for securing said actuating "mechaiiism to the mounting member.

4:; In combination with a switch actuating assembly and a support therefor, adjustable mounting means including an anchor member secured to said support, a mounting member carried by said support and constituting a carrier for the actuating assembly, screw threaded means for varying the distance relation between said anchor member and moi'mting member, and means for securing the actuating assembly to said mounting member.

5. In combination with a switch actuating assembly and a support therefor, adjustable mounting means including a pair of mounting members constituting a base for said actuating assembly, and carried by said support, and means for effecting independent adjustment of said mounting members with respect to said support.

6. In combination with a switch actuating assembly, adjusting and mounting means therefor including spaced pairs of mounting members, certain of said members forming supports for the actuating assembly, and screw threaded means for independently varying the distance adjustment relation between said pairs of mounting members.

7. In combination with switch actuating mechanism and a support, adjustable mounting means including a pair of mounting members serving to carry said actuating mechanism, said mounting members being carried by, and independently movable relativeto said support, and separate screw-threaded means for moving said mounting'members to adjusted positions with respect to the support. V i

8, In combination with switch actuating mechanism, including a pair of supporting members, adjustable mounting means includmg a slotted mounting member carried by each of said supports, holding means secured to said supports and extending through the slots in said mounting members, screw threaded means for effecting a distance adj ustment of each of said mounting members with respectto the supports, and means for securing said mechanism to said mounting members. i

9. In combination with switch actuating mechanism, and a pair of supports, aiiljustable mounting means including a mounting member associated with each support, means for effecting independent distance adjustment of said mounting members with respect to said supports, and means for angularly adjusting said actuating mechanism with respect to each of said mounting members.

10. In combination with switch actuating mechanism, including a pair of spaced supports therefor; an anchor member on each of said supports, a mounting plate slidably disposed on each of said supports and normally spaced from said anchor members, and screw-threaded adjustment means for independently varying the distance relation between eaeh of said mounting plates and its associated anchor.

11. In combination with a switch stand, including a pair of spaced headblocks, adjustable mountin means for said stand, in eluding a slotted plate slidably disposed on each of said headbloeks, bolts extending from the blocks through the slots in said plates, serew threaded means for independently adjnsting the position of said plates along said headblocks, and anchoring means associated with the screw-threaded means.

12. In combination with a switch stand and spaced headbloeks for supporting said stand, adjusting and mounting means adapted for readily altering the adjustment of said stand relative to the switch points, said means including a pair of slotted mounting plates, one disposed on each of said headblocks, a pair of anchor plates one thereof being disposed on each of the headblocks, and normally in spaced relation from said mounting plates, each of said plates having an upstanding apertured flange thereon, a jackscrew extending between the paired flanges and being provided with adjusting nuts adj aeent each of said flanges, mounting feet for said stand having apertures therein, and bolts extending from said mounting plates in spaced relation through said apertures, bolts extending from the headblocks and through the slots in said mounting plates, holding means for securing said feet to said mounting plates, and means formed by said apcrtnred feet, j ackserews and associated nuts, whereby each side of the switch stand may be independently adjusted, angularly and distantly, with respect to the lieadbloeks and switch points.

\VILLIAM L. lVI-HTTINGTOI. 

